Working device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device ( 10 ) for performing work tasks within a work area, in particular a ski run area, comprising a working unit ( 60, 90 ), a manoeuvring means ( 12, 30, 32, 37 ) to which the working unit is arranged, and that the manoeuvring means is designed and arranged such that it is capable of manoeuvring the working unit in at least three degrees of freedom. The invention is characterised in that the device is designed as an individual unit intended to be detachably arranged to a work vehicle. The present invention also relates to a snow working unit intended to be used with the present device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for performingdifferent work tasks within a work area, in particular a ski run area,comprising a working unit, a manoeuvring means to which the working unitis attached, and that the manoeuvring means is intended to be arrangedto a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For ski resorts, special vehicles are used in preparing thefoundation for the ski runs and the cross-country trails. These specialvehicles, so called snowgrooming vehicles, are track-driven in order tobe able to manoeuvre. They are equipped with snow forming devices thatare pulled behind for smoothing the surface. Further they are arrangedwith hydraulically manoeuvred ploughs in the front for transportingsnow, such as to cut off bumps and fill deeper tracks and cavities.

[0003] During recent years the demands on a more varied skiing in theski runs has increased, in particular with the arrival of snowboard andits utilisers, but also for ordinary skiing. For that the ski run areashave been designed with different “artificial” configurations, such asmogules, jumps and so called half-pipes. The latter is mainly U-shapedruns where the riders go up and down on the sides and perform differenttricks and stunts. These designs demand relatively large amount of workto build up and maintain, for which the conventional snowgroomingvehicles are not optimally designed. In particular the build-up of highjumps and half-pipes where the height from its bottom to the edge can beseveral meters, require moving large amounts of snow up to heights thatthe conventional snowgrooming vehicles can not accomplish. Previously,this has required manual labour or the use of digging vehicles that arenot adapted to be driven on snow.

[0004] One attempt to accomplish half-pipes and the like curved tracksis described in WO9833986, showing a snow vehicle on which a crane armis attached, which partly is rotatable around a vertical axis and partlyhas a joint. At the end of the arm, a snow working unit is arranged,which comprises a rotating snow mill roll or mat. During use, themachine is driven along the longitudinal direction of the track and thesnow working unit is moved along the curvature of the track for formingthe same.

[0005] The device according to WO9833986 displays a number of drawbacks.Because the device is attached to the snow vehicle, the usage of thevehicle is limited, i e the vehicle becomes more or less a specialvehicle for only preparing half-pipes and the like tracks and surfaces.In order to fully use the vehicle for other work tasks that are presentat ski run areas, the device has to be dismantled, which istime-consuming.

[0006] A further drawback is that the device is mounted behind thedriver's cab in the driving direction of the vehicle, which essentiallydecreases the preparation work of the driver in that the driver, aftercompleting the preparation of a section of the track, has to turn aroundin order to drive to the next section, and then again turn backwards.

[0007] A further drawback is that the snow working unit that isdisclosed in the description is not capable of transporting any largeramounts of snow, instead it is only capable of finely adjusting apreviously coarsely formed track. This implies that the coarse-forminghas to be performed by another machine or by hand in as conventionalmanner. With the working unit described, there are further largeproblems in directing and controlling the snow that has been worked awayin that there are no means present for directing the snow, but rather itis thrown away more or less uncontrolled, which makes it difficult forthe driver to direct the snow to parts that need to be built up. Furtherthere is a great risk that the milled snow creates a “snow cloud” offine particles, deteriorating the sight, whereby the drive hasdifficulties controlling the way the unit is steered.

[0008] As regards the design of half-pipes, demands are put, especiallyfor competitions, regarding dimensions and the rounding of the walls aswell as the surface of the foundation and durability. These demands haveled to labour-intensive, and therefore costly, operations.

[0009] Apart from the above mentioned aspects, it shall be noted that aplurality of work tasks needs to be performed on a ski run area, such asgeneral snow handling, control of ski lifts, whereby the workers need toreach certain heights, removal of grass and bushes during summer time,the laying of water pipes for snow guns, removal of trees and the like.A work area such as a ski run area thus has a need for a device, whichin a flexible and simple way can fulfil these requirements withoutdeparting from functionality and without requiring several differentwork machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for theperforming of different work tasks that remedies the above problems,that preferably can be attached to and utilised by machines present inski run areas, that is efficient and flexible and adapted to be used formany work tasks present in a ski run area during winter as well assummer. This aim is obtained according to one aspect of the inventionwith a device according to patent claim 1.

[0011] Preferable embodiments of the invention are characterised by thedependent claims.

[0012] The device according to the invention comprises an arm rotatablyarranged to a stand and that the arm is jointed. The arm is further alsoslidable in the longitudinal direction for altering the length of thearm. At the end of the arm, a number of different work tools can beattached, such as for example a thrower for removing and forming largeramounts of snow, a preparation device for fine preparation, shovel, workplatform, bush cutter, gripping means, and other tools. The stand isdesigned as an individual unit that can be releasably attached to avehicle.

[0013] This makes it very simple to attach and detach the deviceaccording to need, which provides a very flexible way of working andwhich for example provides for a snowgrooming vehicle, which is used inski run areas for preparing the ski runs, to readily attach the devicein order to perform machining and preparations of half-pipes and thelike. Due to the design of the arm with its joint and the moving in andout of the outreach, advantages are obtained in that a very good controlof the working unit can be achieved regarding the desired forms, radiiand the like and in that the working area can be varied from very smallprotrusions to the really large half-pipes with wall heights of up to 6meters.

[0014] The device according to the invention utilises according to oneembodiment a snow thrower specially adapted for the working and formingof snow surfaces such as half-pipes. This comprises a rotor with teethdesigned and arranged such that a very good working is obtained also onvery hard packed snow and where the worked snow can be controlled partlyfor obtaining an even worked surface, partly for removing and placing ofthe snow to selected places and partly for avoiding the “snow cloud”that often tends to form during milling of the snow, whereby the driverhas full visibility of the working unit.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the invention, it ischaracterised by a snow working unit comprising a milling device for thegrinding of the snow surface and packing part following in the workdirection of the snow working unit comprising a substantially planarsurface.

[0016] The advantages with the device according to the present inventionare several. Because the working unit is maneouvrable in at least threedegrees of freedom, a very flexible device is obtained with a large workarea. Due to the jointed arm arrangement movable along three coordinateaxes, complex forms, such as for example the sides of a half-pipe, canbe created in a labour saving and at the same time exact way. Whenfurther the snow working unit is jointly, and also rotatably, arrangedto the device, a very exact steering is obtained for optimal result.Because the direction of the worked snow, and thrown from the snowworking unit, can be controlled to the desired location, a labour-savingway of handling the snow is obtained rather than if it is thrown away inarbitrary directions.

[0017] With the preferred snow working unit, a very even but yet durablesurface is obtained in that the milling unit due to the “roughing” ofthe surface firstly ensures that cold air penetrates the snow surface,whereby the thickness of the harder surface layer increases. Thesubsequent vibrating packing provides an even higher hardness andwear-resistance to the harder surface layer. The final adjustment thenprovides an even running surface.

[0018] These and other aspects of, and advantages with, the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof some embodiments of the present invention and from the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In the following detailed description of the invention, referencewill be made to the drawings, of which

[0020]FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a device according to the presentinvention attached to a snowgrooming vehicle,

[0021]FIG. 2a, b show a side view of the device according to claim 1,

[0022]FIG. 3 shows a side view of the stand comprised in the deviceaccording to the invention,

[0023]FIG. 4 shows a view from above of the stand according to FIG. 3,

[0024]FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the attachment between a snowworking unit and a manoeuvring means according to the present invention,

[0025]FIG. 6 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a snow working unitcomprised in the present invention,

[0026]FIG. 7 shows a side view of the working unit according to FIG. 6,

[0027]FIG. 8 shows a view from above of the working unit according toFIG. 6,

[0028]FIG. 9 shows a side view of a rotor comprised in the working unitaccording to FIG. 6,

[0029]FIG. 10 shows a cross-section taken along the line X-X- of FIG. 9,

[0030]FIG. 11 shows a detailed view of a tooth comprised in the rotor ofFIG. 9,

[0031]FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII ofFIG. 6,

[0032]FIG. 13 shows a detailed view in perspective of a secondembodiment of a snow working unit,

[0033]FIG. 14 shows a view from below of the snow working unit accordingto FIG. 13, and

[0034]FIG. 15 shows the use of the device for producing a half-pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The device for performing work tasks that is shown in thedrawings has generally a reference numeral 10. As is shown in the FIGS.1-4 the device comprises a stand 12. The stand is designed as a frame 14with a front carrier beam 16. The rear part of the stand is arrangedwith an attachment 18, FIG. 2a, for attachment to the tool attachment ofa vehicle. In the embodiment shown, the attachment is designed as a socalled Volvo BM- attachment, which many machine manufacturers utilise,for easy and simple attachment of the device to a vehicle. It shall ofcourse be understood that other attachments present on the market alsocan be used. In this respect, the attachments can preferably bereleasably designed, so called adapters, whereby the manufacturing ofthe device is facilitated in that a standard attachment is used, onwhich the desired attachment is mounted. In FIG. 1 the tool attachmentis placed in the front of a snowgroorning vehicle 20. In this context itshall be understood that other machines, such as wheel loaders, canattach the device according to the invention to its tool attachment, ifcertain work tasks shall be performed that do not require a snowgroomingvehicle. The frame is further arranged with a mounting plate 19.

[0036] Hydraulic attachments (not shown) are arranged between thehydraulic system of the vehicle and the stand 12 via quick couplings. Itis hereby conceivable to use a system, which connects the hydraulicconduits automatically when the device is attached to the toolattachment of a vehicle.

[0037] On the front transversal beam 16 support members are arranged. InFIG. 2a these are in the form of skis 22 pivotably arranged to the endsof the transversal beam. In FIG. 2b, the skis are replaced by wheels 24,which are freely rotatable around a vertical axis. Preferably the lengthof the transversal beam can be changed by for example telescopicallyarranged tubes, FIG. 4, whereby the width of the device can be altered.This is an advantage for example if increased stability is desired. Onthe frame a trough-formed plate 26 is attached which provides a supportsurface, together with the support members, for the device. Thetrough-form with a rounding between the sides and bottom permits thatthe device also can be moved sideways, for example when a machine isturning, without too much resistance. The skis preferably also have acertain bowl-shape in the transversal direction for this reason. Thedesign of the stand as a whole provides a very low centre of gravity ofthe device.

[0038] On the mounting plate 19 of the stand, a pillar 30 is rotatablyattached. A hydraulic motor (not shown) is attached to the pillar forthe turning of this. To the upper end of the pillar a boom 32 ispivotably arranged. At the outer end of the boom 32 a second boom 37,hereafter named outreach, is jointly arranged, FIG. 1. Between the boomand the outreach a hydraulic cylinder 38 is arranged, which, via a jointdevice 39, which permits a transmission of the power from the hydrauliccylinder, acts on the outreach. The outreach is designed with a supportpart 41 with a longitudinal compartment. In this compartment an arm 43is slidably arranged for forward and reverse movement. A hydraulic motor45 provides the movement of the arm via a chain transmission (notshown).

[0039] In the outer end of the arm a guide member 40 is arranged, FIG.5. The guide member comprises an attachment plate 42 pivotably attachedto the arm. A hydraulic cylinder 44 is arranged between the attachmentplate 42 and the arm 40. To the attachment plate 42 a rotationattachment 46 is attached. The rotation attachment comprises a hydraulicmotor (not shown) connected to the hydraulic system of the device. Tothe rotation attachment a first connection plate 50 is arranged, whichdisplays locking bolts 52. The locking bolts are intended to fit intocorresponding recesses in a second connection plate 54 attached to aworking unit 60. When the locking bolts have been inserted in the secondconnection plate, both connection plates are locked with hydraulicallydriven locking pistons (not shown). The hydraulic conduits to the guidemember are in the embodiment shown led inside the arm and out to itsrear end and further to the vehicle, which provides that the conduitsare being protected in the vicinity of the working tool and therebyreduces the risk of damages to these during work.

[0040] FIGS. 6-12 show an embodiment of a snow working unit 60 accordingto the invention. It comprises a shovel-looking housing 62 with a loweropening edge 64, a cutting edge. In the interior 66 of the casing,hereafter named milling box, and to its end plates 68, a shaft 70 isrotatably arranged with bearings. A hydraulic motor 72 is connected tothe shaft. A number of plates 74, so called teeth, FIG. 10, are attachedto the shaft and positioned such that a spiral pattern is obtainedtowards the centre of the shaft, FIG. 9. The teeth are designed with two“wings” 71, the outer edges 73 of which are bent with a certain angleand forward as seen in the direction of rotation.

[0041] In one design tested with good results, the teeth are arranged onthe shaft with an angle α, FIG. 9, of about 20° in relation totransversal direction of the shaft and with an inclination β of theouter edges 73 of the teeth of about 20° in relation to the extension.

[0042] The design of the milling box as seen in cross-section, FIG. 12,in relation to the shaft and its teeth is such that the distance, theclearing 76, between them increases successively forward in FIG. 12. Inthe upper part of the milling box an opening 78 is arranged, to which adischarge pipe 80 connects. The discharge pipe is arranged rotatable360° with the aid of a hydraulic motor 81. This motor may be connectedto a hydraulic cylinder 47, FIG. 2a, which is positioned between the armand the outreach and connected such that the discharge pipe turns whenthe outreach moves upwards, i e an outward movement, and turns back whenthe outreach moves downwards. This function provides a possibility forautomatically controlling the direction of the discharged snow, which isof value in particular when the working unit is working on highervertical heights, such as the higher parts of a half-pipe. The upperpart of the discharge pipe is arranged with a first guide plate 83pivatbly attached to the discharge pipe and pivotable with the aid of ahydraulic cylinder 85. To the end of the first guide plate, a secondguide plate 87 is arranged. The guide plates aid in guiding thedischarged snow. An arm 84 is arranged on the side, preferably under thehydraulic motor, on which a so called finish mat 89 of rubber or plasticis attached, which finish mat evens the previously worked area.

[0043] In order to further facilitate the work and obtain an even form,it is conceivable to mount a rotatable mat, for instance a snowmobilemat, on a boggy with wheels and hydraulic drive, where this is liftablehydraulically. The intention with this is that one works on a firstsection to the desired radius with the mat raised. After that one movesto the next section whereby the mat is lowered and then is in contactwith the previously worked section. The mat will thus ensure that theworking of the later section will follow the previous section, whichprovides a smother form and that the level differences are avoided.Further, the drive of the mat aids in facilitating the drive of theworking unit during work. Preferably the drive of the mat is affected byan adjustable valve, which acts so that the pulling capacity is limitedso that the mat never skips. Further the drive of the mat may bedesigned such that it stops in the raised position and starts when it islowered.

[0044]FIGS. 13 and 14 show a second embodiment of a snow working unit90. In the front part 92 of the working unit a shaft 94 is rotatablyarranged in a space open downwards. The shaft is directly connected to ahydraulic motor (not shown). The shaft is further arranged with radiallyprotruding teeth 96. After the milling part a somewhat convexly shapedpart 98 is arranged, which is formed with a number of ribs 100. At therear edge of the snow working unit a profiled plate 102 is arranged. Ahydraulically driven vibration device (not shown) is arranged in theworking unit and capable of vibrating the same.

[0045] The function is as follows. The device is connected to the toolattachment of a vehicle, for example a snowgrooming vehicle. Thehydraulic conduits of the device are connected to the hydraulic systemof the snowgrooming vehicle whereby it does not require a hydraulicsource of its own.

[0046] During use the hydraulic cylinders of the device are manoeuvredin order to turn the pillar 30 and turn the boom 32 and the outreach 37.The guide member 40 at the end of the outreach, FIG. 5, permits aturning of the working unit around the axis 48 by its hydraulic motorand tiliting of the working unit with the help of the rotationattachment 42 and the hydraulic cylinder 44 The hydraulic motor 45 onthe outreach permits in and outgoing movement, i e shortening andextension of the length of the outreach.

[0047] In all a large spectrum of movement and working area is obtainedfor the working unit due to the design of the device, where the workarea comprises substantially half a sphere.

[0048]FIG. 15 shows schematically the preparation of one of the walls ofa half-pipe or a quarter-pipe. The snowgroorning vehicle 18 is placedalong a marked line 150 in the longitudinal direction of the half-pipeto be formed. The device may be provided with aiming means such as forexample a ski 152 so that the driver easily can follow the line. Theboom 32 and the outreach 37 are directed transverse the longitudinaldirection. For that an indicator may be arranged between the pillar 30and the stand 12 in order to indicate the rotational angle of the pillarin relation to the stand. A libel can be arranged in the driver's cab sothat the driver can judge the horizontal position of the machine. Theboom is then manoeuvred to a certain angular position in relation to thepillar.

[0049] Because the length of the boom and the outreach are known it canbe obtained between which angles the boom must be when the outreach isswung out and the length the outreach shall have. The snow working unitworks from the machine and outwards by turning the boom whereby the snowworking unit is moved along a curved path, FIG. 1, with a certaindetermined radius from the bottom of the half-pipe 154, FIG. 9, to theedge of the half-pipe 156. The design of the device enables the workwith different radii from about 1,5 m to 6,8 m, depending onrequirement, completely variable, and different angles and inclinations.Due to the design of the discharge pipe the worked snow is moved infront and upwards from the snow working unit and builds in that way upthe walls.

[0050] When the snow working unit works in the curved part and upagainst the vertical part of the half-pipe, the working unit is tiltedupwards with the help of the guide attachment 40. The driver therebyalso has possibilities to rotate the snow working unit around the axis48 if the form of the snow surface so demands. The driver also haspossibilities to control the direction of the discharged snow by turningthe discharge pipe 80. In this manner very varied and exactly formedsnow surfaces can be easily and flexibly created.

[0051] The design of the snow working unit 60 provides distinctadvantages. Due to the placement of the teeth 74 on the shaft 70 so thata spiral shaped pattern is obtained the worked snow is efficiently movedin against the opening 78 and out through the discharge pipe 80. Thedesign of the snow working unit means that one in the same movementobtains a snow miller and snow thrower, cutting means due to the cuttingedge on the working unit and a finish with the finish mat. The design ofthe cutting box with the clearance gives that a “curtain” of snow isformed in front of the working unit that fills eventual holes and thelike, at the same time as the clearance also assures that worked snow isled away out through the discharge pipe. In total it provides a verycontrolled handling of the snow without the risk for falling snow onworked sections and without the risk for the creation of “snow clouds”around the working unit.

[0052] In order to obtain an even and in particular durable snow surfaceand in order to recondition for example a half-pipe after a day'sriding, the snow working unit 90 according to FIGS. 13 and 14 isutilised. This working unit is controlled in the same way as thepreviously described working unit. During use the milling device 92provides a grinding of the snow surface and a mix of cold air in orderto increase the freezing layer of the surface layer of the snow. Theprofiled part 98 together with the vibration of the working unitprovides a vibration and packing of the worked snow surface. Finally theworked and vibrated surface is formed with the help of the profiledplate 102.

[0053] The device according to the invention is intended firstly to bemanoeuvred from the driver's cab of the snowgrooming vehicle. Preferablythe device is also provided with a cordless remote manoeuvring equipmentso that the operator can stand in the vicinity of the snow working unitfor certain operations in order to obtain a better overview over thework.

[0054] The system can also be provided with a highly sensitive detector,for example an infra red detector, which detects the radiation from aperson or other living being moving within the detection area. TheIR-detector can be connected to warning lights or sound or the motor ofthe snow working unit or the whole device, which then stops if a personis detected within the area.

[0055] In a further development of the system it is conceivable to alsoconnect equipment for GPS navigation. Most ski resorts have electronicmaps over the area, in which it is possible to enter three-dimensionalski run profiles with coordinates for the position of the ski runprofile, whereby signals from a base-station and the GPS-receivercontrols the device according to a pre-programmed ski run profile.

[0056] Even if the described snow working units are arranged withrotating snow milling/snow throwing devices, it is very conceivable touse other devices for making the device flexible and useful. Thesedevices comprise work platforms, bush and grass cutting units forpreparing ski runs at summer time, gripping claws for loading andde-loading of for example water pipes for snow guns, removal of fallentrees and the like, crane hooks, shovels and the like devices. Thesepossibilities provides for the device according to the invention to beused for a number of different work tasks during winter as well assummer. The attachments makes it possible to use several differentvehicles with the present invention.

[0057] It is to be understood that the invention as described above andshown in the drawings only is to be regarded as non-limiting examples ofthe present invention and that it is defined by the following patentclaims.

1. Device (10) for performing work tasks within a work area, inparticular a ski run area, comprising a working unit (60, 90), amanoeuvring means (12, 30, 32, 37) to which the working unit isarranged, and that the manoeuvring means is designed and arranged suchthat it is capable of manoeuvring the working unit in at least threedegrees of freedom, characterised in that the device is designed as anindividual self-supported unit intended to be detachably arranged to awork vehicle when performing different work tasks.
 2. Device accordingto claim 1, characterised in that it is hydraulically driven andmanoeuvred and attached to the hydraulic system of the work vehicle. 3.Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it is arrangedin front of the work vehicle and in the view of the driver duringmovement of the vehicle.
 4. Device according to any of the precedingclaims, characterised in that the manoeuvring means is capable ofmanoeuvring the working unit within a work area comprising substantiallyhalf a sphere.
 5. Device according to any of the preceding claims,characterised in that the working unit is arranged such to themanoeuvring means that it is manoeuvrable in at least one degree offreedom.
 6. Device according to any of the preceding claims,characterised in that the manoeuvring means comprises a substantiallyvertical first arm (30), hereafter named pillar, rotatably arrangedaround a turning axis substantially coinciding with its longitudinalaxis, and at least a second arm (32), hereafter named boom, rotatablyarranged with one end to the pillar around a turning point arrangedsubstantially perpendicular to the turning axis of the pillar, and athird arm (37), hereafter named outreach, rotatably arranged to theother end of the boom around a turning point arranged substantiallyhorizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the boomand the outreach.
 7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in thata guide means (40) is rotatably arranged to the free end of the outreachand perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outreach, and inthat the guide means is arranged with an attachment member (50, 52) bywhich a working unit can be detachably attached.
 8. Device according toclaim 6, characterised in that the guide means comprises a hydraulicallymanoeuvrable rotatable shaft (48) to which the attachment member isattached.
 9. Device according to any of the preceding claims,characterised in control means (34, 36, 38, 44) capable of controllingthe movements of the device so that the working unit follows apredetermined work path.
 10. Snow working unit intended to be used witha device according to any of the claims 1-9, characterised in that itcomprises a housing with an opening, that the lower edge of the openingis designed as a cutting edge, a rotating shaft arranged in the housing,a number of teeth arranged on the shaft for machining snow, whereby theteeth are attached to the shaft such that they form a spiral patternrunning from both ends of the shaft towards its centre.
 11. Snow workingunit according to claim 10, characterised in that the distance betweenthe teeth on the shaft and the inner walls of the housing increasestowards the upper edge of the opening.
 12. Snow working unit accordingto claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the cutting edges of the teethare angled in relation to their propagation.
 13. Snow working unitaccording to any of the claims 10-12, characterised in that it isarranged with a directable discharge pipe.
 14. Snow working unitintended to be used with a device according to any of the claims 1-9,characterised in that it comprises a milling device (92) for milling thesnow surface and a, in the work direction of the snow working unit,following packing part (98) comprising a substantially planar surface.15. Snow working unit according to claim 14, characterised in that thepacking part is arranged with a plurality of ribs extending in the workdirection.
 16. Snow working unit according to claim 14, characterised inthat it comprises a vibrating means for packing of the milled snowsurface.
 17. Snow working unit according to claim 14, characterised inthat the packing part has a somewhat convex form seen in the workdirection of the snow working unit.
 18. Snow working unit according toany of the claims 14-17, characterised in that it, after the packingpart as seen in the work direction, is arranged with a profiled plate(102) for final adjustment of the snow surface.